Retired Pc Ian Bracey wept over row, inquest told

A retired policeman has described how he cried as he walked away from a violent argument with his ex-fiancee minutes before she was run over and killed by a Midland Metro tram.

Pc Ian Bracey's evidence came as inquest jurors were told for the first time that the 56-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of murdering Cheryl Flanagan, but was not charged because of insufficient evidence.

Mr Bracey and Miss Flanagan had argued on a bridge by Bilston's The Crescent tram stop moments before she was struck by a tram as she lay between the rails of the Birmingham-bound line at around 11pm on December 12, 2003.

Former Wolverhampton officer Mr Bracey said yesterday afternoon that he had been upset at hurtful comments which Cheryl Flanagan made as she rowed with him.

Miss Flanagan, aged 30, had split from Mr Bracey earlier in the week, the inquest has been told.

Mr Bracey, who yesterday rejected suggestions by a coroner that he had attacked Miss Flanagan, admitted he had walked out of Miss Flanagan's family home in nearby Greencroft without saying goodbye to her parents, but denied that he had "stormed out".

Miss Flanagan followed him out of the house and the pair argued on the bridge. She called him an "old man", slapped him three times and tugged at his clothing before grabbing his scarf and throwing it on to the line below, the jury was told.

Mr Bracey told the jury at Worcestershire Coroner's Court in Stourport yesterday: "She was saying some really horrible things to me. It made me cry as I was walking away."

Mr Stephen Campbell, representing the Flanagan family, asked if he had spoken to colleague Pc Kirsty Brooks after the tragedy and had said: "Kirsty, what have I done?"

Mr Bracey said: "I can't remember."

Mr Campbell asked: "Did the thought go through your head at any stage that this woman, for her completely unreasonable behaviour, deserves a slap?"

Mr Bracey replied: "No, the only physical contact came from Cheryl that night."

He denied Mr Campbell's suggestion that Miss Flanagan "said or did something which eventually caused even you to snap".

Coroner Mr Geraint Williams will sum the case up to the jury on Monday.